Advantage West Midlands

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  what steps he has taken to ensure that land formerly owned by Advantage West Midlands is being put to use to benefit local enterprise partnerships in the west midlands;
	(2)  what steps he has taken to ensure that land formerly owned by Advantage West Midlands is being put to use to benefit the West Midlands economy.

Michael Fallon: As announced in the written ministerial statement of 10 February 2011, the Government was committed to ensuring an effective transition from all the regional development agencies (RDAs), including Advantage West Midlands, to a new economic delivery landscape.
	The Government's objective was that the disposal of RDA assets would create maximum long-term value for the economy and local areas. RDA Accounting Officers had the overall responsibility for ensuring value for money and were answerable to the Principal Accounting Officer of BIS using the provisions of the HM Treasury guidance: ‘Managing Public Money’.
	With respect to the RDA sites which remained unsold, the Government came forward on 6 July 2011, Official Report, column 95WS, with:
	“a ‘stewardship’ arrangement through which local partners, including local authorities, businesses, local enterprise partnerships and others will be able to influence their development and ensure they are developed in a way which maximises economic outcomes for the area”.
	The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) were made responsible and accountable for managing the portfolio.

Advantage West Midlands

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  if he will publish the (a) date of sale, (b) purchaser and (c) value of assets sold by Advantage West Midlands since April 2011;
	(2)  what records his Department made of the assets sold and transferred by Advantage West Midlands before its closure in March 2012.

Michael Fallon: The Department currently does not hold records centrally of each asset sold by Advantage West Midlands (AWM), in particular details relating to the date of sale and the purchaser.
	The Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), maintained their own records of properties sold and these have been transferred to the Department as part of the RDA closure programme. Obtaining the information would require the retrieval of records from archive facilities and detailed analysis of AWM's records, and this could be done only at disproportionate cost. The sale proceeds of land and property assets (“inventory”) sold by AWM in the financial year 2011/12 can be determined from their audited annual report and accounts 2011-12 as £4.43 million.
	The Government published a full list of RDA freehold land and property assets (as at 30 September 2010) on 28 October 2010, this is available at:
	http://data.parliament.uk/depositedpapers/files/dep2010-1895/dep2010-1895.doc
	The list of sites transferred to the Homes and Communities Agency on 19 September 2011 was published on the BIS website at the time and can be seen at:
	http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http:/www.bis.gov.uk/policies/economic-development/englands-regional-development-agencies/assets/transferring-assets

Advantage West Midlands

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will list the assets held by Advantage West Midlands at the point that regional development agencies were authorised to sell assets in April 2011.

Michael Fallon: A full list of the eight Regional Development Agencies (excluding London) freehold land and property assets, including those of AWM, as of 30 September 2010 was laid before the House on 29 October 2010—see 28 October 2010, Official Report, column 458W. There were no substantive changes to the list prior to 1 April 2011.

Arms Trade: Middle East

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the value was of the UK's arms trade with Israel in each of the last three financial years; whether defence contracts with Israel prohibit the use of UK-made weapons in the Occupied Palestinian Territories; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Fallon: holding answer 3 December 2012
	The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills holds information only about the value of goods licensed for export, not about the value of goods actually exported under a particular licence.
	Information on export licences granted and refused for each destination, including a description and the value of the goods licensed for export, has been published since 1997 in the Government's annual reports on strategic export controls. Since 2004 this information has also been published in quarterly reports. The reports are available online on the strategic export controls: reports and statistics website
	https://www.exportcontroldb.bis.gov.uk/eng/fox/sdb/SDBHOME
	The most recent report covers the period April to June 2012.
	All export licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria taking account of all prevailing circumstances at the time of the application. The Government will not issue a licence if there was a clear risk the items for export would be used for internal repression, would provoke or prolong armed conflict in the country of final destination, or be used aggressively against another country or territory.

Business: Loans

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many small and medium-sized businesses received loans from banks in (a) Glasgow North West constituency, (b) Glasgow, (c) Scotland and (d) the UK in the last year.

Michael Fallon: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills does not have data on the overall level of lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) at constituency level.
	Business lending statistics at regional level are already published on the British Bankers' Association (BBA) website. The most recent data were published on 30 November 2012 at:
	http://www.bba.org.uk/statistics/small-business
	The BBA has committed to publish SME lending at post-code level, once a sufficient data set has been developed to allow meaningful comparison. The precision of these data make their disclosure commercially sensitive and so their publication schedule will be annual, with the first release to take place shortly.
	The Enterprise Finance Guarantee, the Government's loan guarantee scheme does provide a breakdown at the level requested. Details are provided in the following table.
	
		
			 Area Number of loan offers Value of loan offers (£ million) Number of loans drawn Value of loans drawn (£ million) 
			 Glasgow North West 2 0.34 2 0.35 
			 Glasgow City 43 7.26 39 6.95 
			 Scotland 195 26.31 166 21.26 
			 UK 2,931 330 2,551 280

Employment Tribunals Service

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of 17 October 2012, Official Report, column 363, when the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State will meet the hon. Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West and his constituent to discuss the enforcement of employment tribunals.

Jo Swinson: I am happy to meet with the hon. Member and his constituent and have offered times for a meeting to take place this month.

Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which Minister in his Department is responsible for the UK retail motor industry; and which part of his Department is responsible for the UK retail motor industry.

Michael Fallon: Issues raised by the retail motor industry are dealt with on a case by case basis. The part of the Department and Minister responsible therefore depends on the particular topic. For example, legislative framework for competition, this is the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs, the Member for East Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson) or, training for those working in the sector, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Skills, my hon. Friend the Member for West Suffolk (Matthew Hancock).

Property: Registration

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps are being taken to ensure that the true value of English property transactions are recorded at the Land Registry; and what powers he has to ensure correction of the registration of misleading values.

Michael Fallon: In accordance with provisions that are already contained in the Land Registration Rules, Her Majesty's Land Registry enters on the register of title the price paid for the property or, where no money has changed hands or the price is not apparent from the documents, the value declared. The entry remains on the register until there is a change of proprietor or some other change in the register which the registrar considers would result in the entry being misleading.
	The registrar has power, under the Land Registration Act, to correct mistakes in the register.

Homelessness: Essex

Helen Goodman: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make an estimate of the cost of the Essex social impact bond as compared to financing by gilts; and if he will publish that comparison.

Nick Hurd: The level of outcomes payments in the Essex Social Impact Bond (SIB) are dependent on outcomes being achieved, which means investors' returns and their initial funding are both at risk. Therefore the cost of capital is not comparable to UK gilts, If outcomes are achieved then Essex will make savings, a proportion of which will be used to repay investors. The exact details of the transaction are a matter for Essex county council.

Business Rates Retention Scheme

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will encourage local authorities to consult local businesses on how revenue raised from the business rate retention scheme will be spent.

Brandon Lewis: The Government expects that all local authorities will be actively engaged with their local business community as part of their ongoing responsibilities for delivering local services. It will be for local authorities themselves to determine how to spend revenue from the business rates retention scheme, taking account of local circumstances and priorities.

Housing: Fire Extinguishers

Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  if he will make it his policy to designate domestic sprinklers as a factor in sustainable housing so that builders can install them as a measure to meeting the sustainable housing requirements;
	(2)  if he will make it his policy to relax guidance to enable local planners to require domestic sprinklers to be installed;
	(3)  if he will bring forward legislative proposals to require the installation of domestic sprinklers.

Don Foster: The Government has no plans to introduce new provisions for domestic sprinklers in planning policy, sustainable housing policy, building regulations or the guidance that supports these measures.
	The Government has recently launched a review of housing standards intended to simplify the current regime of national and local standards so as to support growth in the housing sector. Details of the review can be found on the internet at:
	www.gov.uk/government/news/independent-panel-to-help-government-cut-housebuilding-red-tape-and-boost-growth
	Research and a review of this issue in 2005 concluded that it would not be cost effective to provide sprinklers in new homes, but that it would be reasonable to provide them in blocks of flats over 30 metres in height and certain types of care homes. The outcome of the research resulted in building regulations being amended to require sprinklers in tall blocks of flats, certain types of care homes and large warehouses.
	New regulation on housing needs to be balanced and proportionate. Making sprinklers compulsory in all new homes would add an estimated £2,000 to £3,000 to the regulatory cost of a new build home, meaning fewer new homes, making home ownership less accessible especially for first time buyers, and potentially pushing up rents in the private rented sector.
	Smoke alarms, which have been shown to be very effective in saving lives and reducing injuries, are required in all new homes. We also strongly recommend that people should fit alarms in older homes and check them regularly.

Regional Development Agencies: Assets

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many assets previously held by regional development agencies' assets and transferred to the Homes and Communities Agency on 19 September 2011 have been sold to local authorities; and what the total monetary value of such assets is.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 29 November 2012
	Since transfer, to date the Homes and Communities Agency has disposed of eight former Regional Development Agency land and property assets to local authorities. The list of these eight disposals to local authorities is listed in the following table.
	
		
			 Agency Local authority Asset Amount (£) 
			 Advantage West Midlands Wolverhampton city council Bilston Urban Village 560,000 
			 East Midlands Development Agency Leicester city council Abbey Meadows, Leicester 294,000 
			 North West Development Agency Wirral council New Chester Road, Rock Ferry Chester 0 
			 One North East South Tyneside MBC Harton Staithes, Harton. Quay 1 
			 South East England Development Agency Medway council Chatham Maritime 0 
			 Yorkshire Forward City of York council Former ABB Site, Holgate Park, York 1,100,000 
			 Yorkshire Forward Barnsley metropolitan borough council Metropolitan Centre, Barnsley market 10,085,000 
			 Yorkshire Forward Sheffield city council Porter Brook site 1,000,000 
		
	
	Transfer at £nil or £1 reflects the value of an asset with an ongoing liability.

Social Rented Housing: East of England

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent estimate he has made of the effect of immigration on the number of new social housing lets in (a) Peterborough and (b) the East of England in the last three years; and what assessment he has made of the effect of immigration on social housing waiting lists in (i) Peterborough and (ii) the East of England over the last 10 years.

Mark Prisk: Under this Government, we have published a number of research reports on immigration that were commissioned by the last Administration but never published.
	They were placed in the Library of the House further to the written ministerial statements of 1 March 2011, Official Report, columns 19-21WS and 10 October 2011, Official Report, columns 1-5WS.
	A comprehensive answer on the limited eligibility of social housing for foreign nationals was outlined in the answer of 17 May 2012, Official Report, columns 247-48W.
	We do not collect information centrally on the nationality of households on housing waiting lists. Information on the new lettings of social housing by nationality of the tenant is published at:
	www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/2055516.xls
	The figures show that, across England in 2010/11, 9% of those new to social tenancy are not UK nationals. Estimates of sub-national levels are not available.
	Such estimates provide a strong argument for the coalition Government's reforms to give councils greater powers and flexibilities over the allocation of social housing, so greater weight can be given both to those with genuinely local connections and to current and former members of the armed forces.
	Through the Localism Act, we have given back to councils the freedom to manage their own waiting lists. They are now able to decide who should qualify for social housing in their area, and to develop solutions which make best use of finite social housing stock.
	Current and former members of our armed forces are one group who have previously lost out in the social housing system, because moving from base to base and living abroad leaves them without strong local connections. We have amended the law such that former personnel with urgent housing needs are always given high priority on waiting lists, and that personnel who move from base to base do not lose their qualification rights. New statutory guidance to councils sets out how their allocation schemes can give priority to current or ex-service personnel, including through the use of local preference criteria and local lettings policies.
	Some councils are not using these new local flexibilities, and they should be held to account and challenged to justify their actions.

Film: Exports

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to increase the UK film industry's exports to (a) South America and (b) Asia and the Pacific.

Edward Vaizey: The Government recognises that exports of UK films help ensure that audiences around the world enjoy a full range of British film culture and are a key element in our Growth strategy for the creative industries. As part of their recently launched five-year plan, the British Film Institute (BFI) will increase its existing funding for film exports to support the promotion of British films and film talent on the global stage. The funding will strengthen opportunities for producers and sales agents to engage with prospective international partners, including those from South America, Asia and the Pacific, at markets, festivals and other platforms that are currently being identified as part of the BFI's international strategy. The Government has also recently signed a film co-production treaty with Brazil, and earlier this year the UK and Chinese Governments signalled their intention to work towards a similar agreement as part of the bilateral High Level People To People Dialogue.

Armed Forces: Deployment

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what UK (a) military and (b) other personnel (i) have been and (ii) are deployed under Common Foreign and Security Policy or Common Security and Defence Policy operations; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: holding answer 18 September 2012
	The UK has personnel, both military and civilian currently deployed on a number of missions and operations as part of the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy activity. The current numbers for those operations and missions where the UK makes a contribution are as follows:
	EUTM Somalia—EU training of Somali national security forces: two military;
	Op Althea Bosnia—EU training and executive security force: six military;
	EUCAP NESTOR—Regional maritime capacity building in the Horn of Africa: two civilians;
	EULEX Kosovo—Executive and mentoring activity in the rule of law: 37 civilians;
	EUMM Georgia—EU monitoring mission focused on 12 August and 8 September 2008 ceasefires: 17 civilians;
	EUPOL Afghanistan—Training and mentoring of Afghan Ministry of Interior: 12 civilians;
	EUPOL COPPS West Bank—Support to the Palestinian Authority on wider rule of law issues: four civilians;
	EU JUST LEX Iraq—Strengthening Iraqi rule of law and respect for human rights: six civilians;
	EUSEC DRC—Supporting Congolese reform of their armed forces, working towards national security and social and economic development: three civilians.
	Details are not centrally held of UK military and other personnel deployed on previous CSDP missions and operations.
	The information will take time to collate. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available.
	Substantive answer from Andrew Robathan to Martin Horwood:
	In my answer to your Parliamentary Question dated 18 September 2012, which asked how many UK personnel have been and are currently deployed under Common Foreign and Security Policy or Common Security and Defence Policy operations, I undertook to write to you to provide a fuller response.
	Please see as follows a table outlining current EU CSDP missions and operations and the UK's seconded personnel contribution, both civilian and military staff. These figures denote staff currently and previously on duty and are correct as of 26 November 2012.
	All Current EU Operations
	
		
			 Operation Commencement date UK personnel contribution 
			 EUFOR ALTHEA   
			 Military Operation 2 December 2004 Military: 6 
			   Civilian: 0 
			 Military mission to support Bosnia and Herzegovina's peace keeping efforts to maintain the safe and secure environment  Figure denotes military personnel currently on duty. Historical data not readily available 
			    
			 EUNAVFOR—ATALANTA   
			 Military Operation 8 December 2008 Military: 65 
			   Civilian: 3 
			 Mission to counter piracy and improve maritime security off the coast of Somalia and in the Indian Ocean  Figures for personnel also include those based at the OHQ at Northwood. As part of the UK contribution to OP ATALANTA the UK provides the Operation Commander—Rear Admiral Potts as well as around 50% of the OHQ staff. Figure denotes military personnel currently on duty. Historical data not readily available 
			    
			 EUTM SOMALIA   
			 Military Operation 25 January2010 Military: 2 
			   Civilian: 0 
			 Military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces  Figure denotes military personnel currently on duty. Historical data not readily available 
			    
			 EUSEC RD Congo   
			 Civilian Mission 8 June 2005 Civilian: 5 
			 EU advisory and assistance mission for security reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)  Figure denotes total seconded staff since the start of the mission 
			    
			 EULEX KOSOVO   
			 Civilian Mission 14 December 2007 Civilian: 82 
			 Mission to assist and support the Kosovo authorities in the rule of law area, with a specific focus on the judiciary  Figure includes police and denotes total seconded staff since the start of the mission 
			    
			 EUBAM   
			 Civilian Mission Moldova and Ukraine 30 November 2005 Civilian: 1 
			 Mission to help improve the capacity of the Moldovan and Ukrainian border and customs services to prevent and detect smuggling, trafficking of goods and human beings, and customs fraud, by providing advice and training  Figure denotes total seconded staff since the start of the mission 
			    
			 EUMM GEORGIA   
			 Civilian Mission 1 October 2008 Civilian: 34 
			 The mission aims to contribute to stability throughout Georgia and the surrounding region. Its main tasks including reducing tensions through liaison, facilitation of contacts between parties and confidence building measures  Figure includes police and total seconded staff since the start of the mission 
			    
			 EUPOL AFGHANISTAN   
			 Civilian Mission 15 June 2007 Civilian: 44 
			 The mission contributes to the establishment of sustainable and effective civilian policing arrangements under Afghan ownership and in accordance with international standards  Figure includes police and total seconded staff since the start of the mission 
			    
			 EUJUST LEX   
			 Civilian Mission Iraq/Brussels 1 July 2005 Civilian: 16 
			 The mission was established to strengthen the rule of law and to promote a culture of respect for human rights in Iraq by providing professional development opportunities for high and mid-level Iraqi officials from the criminal justice system  Figure includes police and total seconded staff since the start of the mission 
		
	
	
		
			    
			 EUCAP NESTOR   
			 Civilian Mission 17 July 2012 Civilian: 2 
			 Mission to support regional maritime capacity building in the Horn of Africa and Western Indian Ocean States  Figure denotes total seconded staff since the start of the mission 
			    
			 EUAVSEC South Sudan   
			 Civilian Mission 18 June 2012 Civilian: 1 
			 The mission aims to strengthen aviation security at Juba international airport in South Sudan  Figure denotes total seconded staff since the start of the mission 
			    
			 EUPOL RD Congo   
			 Civilian Mission 1 July 2007 Civilian: 4 
			 The mission aims to develop a police force which interacts well with the criminal justice authorities and upholds legal standards  Figure denotes total seconded staff since the start of the mission 
			    
			 EUCAP SAHEL Niger   
			 Civilian Mission 16 July 2012 Civilian: 0 
			 Mission aims to support the fight against organised crime and terrorism in the Sahel region by training the Nigerian security forces to improve their control of the territory and regional cooperation  Figure denotes total seconded staff since the start of the mission 
			    
			 EUPOL COPPS   
			 Civilian Mission 1 January 2006 Civilian: 12 
			 The mission has a long term reform focus and provides enhanced support to the Palestinian Authority (PA) in establishing sustainable and effective policing arrangements  Figure denotes total seconded staff since the start of the mission 
			    
			 EUBAM Rafah   
			 Civilian Mission 24 November 2005 Civilian: 1 
			 EU Border Assistance Mission at Rafah crossing point  Figure denotes total seconded staff since the start of the mission 
		
	
	Figures for civilian staff are those who have been seconded by HMG. These figures do not reflect those UK nationals who are directly contracted by the EU to work on various EU missions.
	A fuller investigation into the records held by the Department has confirmed that the provision of any further information on completed missions would be at disproportionate cost, as this information is not held centrally. Should you have questions about a specific previous EU operation or mission I would be happy to provide you with more information. Furthermore, should you wish to visit the Department to discuss CSDP missions and operations I would be delighted for my officials to provide you with a suitable briefing.

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the programme of analysis referred to by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary in his Department on 21 November 2012, Official Report, column 561 will include an assessment of the potential effects of Scottish independence on armed forces recruitment.

Philip Hammond: The UK Government's position is clear: Scotland benefits from being part of the UK and the UK benefits from having Scotland within it. We are confident that the people of Scotland will choose to remain part of the UK, and are not therefore, planning for any other outcome.
	It is our policy to maintain the integrity of the United Kingdom and we are currently undertaking a programme of analysis of how Scotland contributes to, and benefits from being part of, the UK. This will include how Scotland contributes to, and benefits from, the UK's integrated armed forces. However, without knowing what a hypothetical independent Scottish Government's approach to defence would be, we cannot predict what the implications would be for the defence of the UK or for the defence of an independent Scotland, including the effects on armed forces recruitment.

Armed Forces: Sexual Offences

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions were issued to commanding officers on reporting incidents of (a) rape and (b) sexual assault to civilian police between 2000 and 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Francois: The Commanding Officers (Designate) course, run in each of the services, includes briefings on the legal and disciplinary responsibilities of Commanding Officers.
	Since October 2009, Commanding Officers are guided by Volume 1 of the Manual of Service Law (Version 2). This provides extensive policy guidance and reference material on the procedures introduced by the Armed Forces Act 2006 and Chapter 3, Part 3, paragraph 52 refers to consultations with relevant civilian authorities when jurisdiction lies within the UK.
	Prior to 2009 this guidance was provided under the single Service Discipline Acts, Naval Discipline Act 1957, Army Act 1955, Air Force Act 1955.
	A copy of the Manual of Service Law is in the Library of the House.

Lord-Lieutenants

Kevan Jones: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 25 October 2012, Official Report, column 1032W, on Lord Lieutenants, what considerations are taken into account when compiling a list of potential Lord Lieutenants; and which individuals the Head of Honours and Appointments Secretariat in the Cabinet Office met in relation to the appointment of the current Lord Lieutenant of County Durham.

Chloe Smith: The considerations taken into account when considering potential lord lieutenants are set out in the protocol on the appointment of lord lieutenants published by the Government in July 2009. This protocol was a commitment on the part of the Government in its response to the Sixth Report of the Justice Committee on Public Appointments: Lord-Lieutenants and High Sheriffs (December 2008). A copy of the protocol was placed in the House of Commons Library on 22 July 2009, deposited paper 2009/2358. The role of a lord lieutenant is a varied one and people from all walks of life may be considered for the position, but the essential criteria for the post are: knowledge and understanding (or a willingness to learn) of the whole county, particular issues and any challenges the county may face; communication skills; someone who has the respect of the community, who relates well to people at all levels and who is tactful, discreet and impartial.
	The current lord lieutenant of Durham was appointed on 19 January 1997; the Cabinet Office holds no records of which individuals were consulted in relation to this appointment.

Children: Homelessness

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent assessment he has made of the effect of increased homelessness on (a) school attendance and (b) access to school places.

Edward Timpson: All children, regardless of their background or circumstances, are entitled to receive the best possible education. The Department has not recently assessed the specific effect of homelessness on school attendance and school places. Schools and local authorities are responsible for monitoring school attendance and tackling any underlying causes of poor attendance. The first two terms of 2011/12 data show that school attendance is at its highest for the same period over the last five years. These data were published as Statistical First Release 22/2012 ‘Pupil Absence in schools in England: Autumn Term 2011 and Spring Term.2012’ at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001090/index.shtml
	The School Admissions Code includes specific measures to support vulnerable children. For example, each local authority must have a Fair Access Protocol, agreed with the majority of schools in its area to ensure that any child without a school place, but particularly vulnerable groups, is offered a place at a suitable school as quickly as possible. Paragraph 3.15 of the Admissions Code lists certain categories of children that must be included as a minimum—one of the categories is children who are homeless. The Department's published advice on Fair Access Protocols—which was developed with local authorities and schools can be found at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/adminandfinance/schooladmissions/

Children: Internet

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance schools provide to children on how they can protect themselves online.

Edward Timpson: holding answer 3 December 2012
	It is the responsibility of schools to provide guidance to children on internet safety. Programmes such as Think U Know and Know it All, provided by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) and Childnet respectively, are widely used by schools.
	Primary schools may introduce internet safety informally or as part of specific projects. At secondary level, it is included in the statutory ICT curriculum and may also be discussed in form tutor sessions and in PSHE (Personal, social and health education) lessons.

Children: Performing Arts

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he will publish the results of the consultation on children involved in performance; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Timpson: holding answer 29 October 2012
	The law on protecting child performers exists to ensure that arrangements are made by producers to keep children safe. It is important that there is a robust system for protecting children and that producers, parents, local authorities and chaperones all understand their responsibilities and execute them properly.
	Government has been considering ways of improving the existing requirements without stifling opportunities for children. We consulted on proposals this summer, and spoke to broadcasters, film producers, professional and amateur theatre companies, parents and children. Our proposals to simplify child performance legislation would not change the requirements for children performing in professional broadcasts to have a licence, issued by their local authority, and to be provided with a chaperone, a person who is approved by their local authority to be responsible for their safety and wellbeing.
	It is right that we carefully consider their views and will announce our next steps in due course.

Domestic Violence: Education

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what his policy is on mandatory teaching about domestic violence during relationship education in schools;
	(2)  what guidance his Department gives to teachers on teaching about domestic violence during relationship education in schools.

Elizabeth Truss: The Government has no plans to make teaching about domestic violence a statutory requirement. Schools can address the topic of domestic violence in sex and relationship education as part of a broader programme of Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education. When teaching about these issues all schools must have regard to the Secretary of State for Education's Guidance on Sex and Relationship Education.
	The document makes clear that effective sex and relationship education should bring an understanding of what is and is not acceptable in a relationship. Teachers should ensure young people develop positive values and a moral framework that will guide their decisions, judgments and behaviour. In addition, all young people should understand how the law applies to relationships.

Foster Care

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  if he will include provisions in a children's bill in the current session of Parliament to make it explicit that membership of a political party should not be a consideration when placing children with foster carers;
	(2)  whether he has any plans to change regulations on ethnic matching when placing children in foster care.

Edward Timpson: holding answer  3 December 2012
	The Government is committed to encouraging people from all walks of life to come forward to foster children. Prospective foster carers must be considered in terms of their capacity to look after children in a safe and responsible way that meets the child's development needs. There is absolutely no bar in legislation or guidance on supporters of any political party, or people from any ethnic background, being approved as foster carers.
	When placing a child in foster care, the local authority must give due consideration to the child's religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background. These factors should be considered in the context of the full range of the child's needs, in order to determine the most appropriate placement to safeguard and promote the child's welfare. I am considering whether any changes to the framework are required to make even clearer that the needs of the child must always be paramount in the placement process.

Free Schools

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to ensure that the teaching of evolution is taught in free schools.

David Laws: Free Schools are subject to Ofsted inspections in the same way as all other state funded schools. From January 2012 inspections have had a stronger focus on quality of teaching. Failure to teach evolution as an extensively evidenced theory would affect Ofsted's assessment of the school.
	To formalise our expectation that evolution is included in the science curriculum in Free Schools we will include a requirement to teach evolution as a comprehensive, coherent and extensively evidenced theory in future funding agreements for Free Schools.

Jimmy Savile

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department has taken following revelations about Jimmy Savile.

Edward Timpson: holding answer 29 October 2012
	As my hon. Friend is aware, the Government is currently implementing a programme to strengthen child protection and safeguarding arrangements. The recent case involving Savile reinforces the importance of that programme of reform and that the Government has been right to make it a priority.

Schools: Playing Fields

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many applications to dispose of school playing fields have been referred to the School Playing Fields Advisory Panel in each year since 1999; and how many such applications were (a) approved, (b) rejected by the Advisory Panel and (c) withdrawn.

David Laws: The Schools Playing Fields Advisory Panel does not make decisions. Its remit is purely advisory, with the decision making power resting with Ministers. This Government have only approved sales if the school has closed, has merged, or if equal or better facilities are being put in place.
	Records relating to the School Playing Fields Advisory Panel commenced in November 2001 and the information requested is detailed in the following table.
	
		
			  Cases referred to panel Recommended approval Recommended rejection Withdrawn 
			 2001 13 11 2 0 
			 2002 73 67 6 0 
			 2003 36 30 6 0 
			 2004 30 30 0 0 
			 2005 30 28 1 1 
			 2006 14 12 2 0 
			 2007 32 28 3 1 
			 2008 23 19 4 0 
			 2009 17 13 3 1 
			 2010 21 18 3 0 
			 2011 11 9 2 0 
			 2012 12 9 3 0

Schools: Sports

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which school games events of Level 2 or above he has attended in the last year.

Edward Timpson: holding answer 22 October 2012
	During this period the Secretary of State for Education has not attended any school games events of level two or above. Over the past year the School Games has provided opportunities for young people of all ability levels and backgrounds to enjoy competitive sport. The School Games has helped to deliver on the Olympic promise to inspire a new generation.

Schools: Sports

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department has taken to monitor the provision of (a) curriculum physical education and (b) intra- and inter-school competition in (i) academies and (ii) free schools.

Edward Timpson: Academies and free schools are not required to follow the national curriculum but there is an expectation that they will provide physical education and sport.
	Some academies and free schools are excelling in this area. For example, Harefield Academy's Sporting Excellence programme provides extra support to students who display potential for sport whist at the same time requiring them to work hard across all their lessons. The majority of the school's Sporting Excellence students achieved extremely high academic results in 2012. At Lampton Academy, West London, sport is very much at the heart of its ethos. The school's Basketball Academy opened in 2010 which has helped to engage many pupils in education who might otherwise have struggled to progress.
	Everton Football Club has opened the Everton in the Community Alternative Provision Free School in Liverpool, using the power of sport to engage disaffected young people. At the Norwich Free School, physical education is taught by professional coaches at Norwich City Football Club Sports Park. Children are also given regular opportunities to compete in competitions and events with other schools in Norwich.
	The Department does not routinely monitor what academies and free schools provide in relation to physical education and intra- and inter-school competition.

Special Educational Needs

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education with reference to his draft Children and Families Bill, whether he proposes that a further education or sixth form college will be able to request an education and health care assessment of a young person.

Edward Timpson: The draft SEN provisions would enable anyone—including parents, schools, further education and sixth form colleges and young people themselves—to ask for an assessment by bringing a child or young person to the attention of the local authority. In considering whether to undertake an assessment, the local authority would be required to ask for and take into account any views and evidence presented by the parent or young person.

Teachers: Pensions

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pension schemes are comprised within the overall Teachers' Pension Scheme.

David Laws: holding answer 30 November 2012
	The Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) is a defined benefit occupational pension scheme for teachers and lecturers in England and Wales which provides a range of benefits for members and their families. There is a different benefit structure for those members who first joined the scheme after January 2007 or who re-joined it following a break in service of more than five years. In effect, therefore, there are two schemes (with differing benefit packages) within the overall TPS.
	The most significant differences between the two benefit structures are that those joining after 1 January 2007, have a normal pension age of 65 (previously age 60), and build up their pension at a rate of 1/60(th) of final salary for each year of service with no automatic lump sum, as opposed to the previous rate of 1/80(th) of final salary with an automatic lump sum equivalent to 3/80(ths) of final salary.

Fuel Poverty: Chatham

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of people in Chatham and Aylesford constituency living in fuel poverty.

Gregory Barker: Fuel poverty data is published at a household level rather than an individual level. The latest data shows that in 2010 there were around 4,200 households in Chatham and Aylesford constituency living in fuel poverty. This represents 11% of all households in this constituency. In England as whole, 16% of all households were fuel poor.
	Sub-regional fuel poverty data, including breakdowns of fuel poverty by parliamentary constituency, can be found here on the DECC website:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/fuelpov_stats/regional/regional.aspx

Wind Power

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 27 November 2012, Official Report, column 315W, on wind power, how many wind turbines emitting 500kW or less have been de-rated.

John Hayes: We do not hold this breakdown of 500 kW or below turbines centrally and it would be resource intensive to provide it. However, as the total number of 100 kW to 500 kW wind turbines to have been registered for FITs to end September 2012 is 32, the number of turbines that have been de-rated to 500 kW or below would only be a proportion of that.

Ash Dieback Disease

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the likely cost to the horticultural trade of the ash tree import ban.

David Heath: There is no official data for the volume or value of imported ash trees but estimates do exist. The Forestry Commission estimates an average of 580,000 ash plants are imported each year, although annual figures vary considerably. A recent survey of nurseries by the Horticultural Trades' Association estimated that about 1.5 million ash trees are imported annually. Taking these two figures and applying Forestry Commission estimates of wholesale prices, the aggregate value added from growing and selling on imported ash trees is estimated, at £120,000 - £300,000 annually. This range does not include potential consequential losses for individual horticultural businesses from the import ban such as contract losses. Neither does it include ash trees imported directly by end users and contractors. This estimate of loss of annual value added could be offset over time as the market and businesses adjust by sourcing and trading alternative species.

Cider

Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if, in the light of the statement from Julian Temperley of the Somerset Cider Brandy Company that he had discussed the issue with the Minister of State in his Department at Apple Day on Mr Temperley's farm, he will correct his answer of 19 November 2012, Official Report, column 329, on cider.

David Heath: No correction needs to be made to the previous answer referred to by the hon. Member.

Dogs

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage more responsible dog ownership; and if he will make a statement.

David Heath: DEFRA has proposed a package of measures aimed at tackling irresponsible dog ownership. We have also been working closely with the Home Office to ensure that their new measures to deal with antisocial behaviour will also include such behaviour where it involves dogs. DEFRA’s proposals were subject to recent public consultation and we are finalising the analysis of the 27,000 or so responses before making an announcement on a way forward shortly.

Employment Agencies

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his policy is on the use of offshore employment companies in the supply of public sector workers in his Department and its associated public bodies.

Richard Benyon: Core DEFRA, its executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) do not currently have any specific policy on the use of offshore employment companies in the supply of public sector workers and there are no plans to develop such a policy in the future.
	The Government non-permanent staff procurement framework is used to identify and engage recruitment suppliers for core DEFRA, its executive agencies and its NDPBs. The framework is awarded to UK based recruitment companies only.

Flood Control

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government spent on managing the risk of flooding and coastal erosion in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12.

Richard Benyon: DEFRA and the Environment Agency spent £664.1 million in 2010-11 and £573.0 million in 2011-12 on managing the risk of flooding and coastal erosion in England. Final expenditure in 2011-12 was £22.3 million higher than originally budgeted, following internal reprioritisation by DEFRA.
	Additionally, local authorities spent £97.4 million in 2010-11 and £104.1 million in 2011-12 on flood and coastal erosion risk management supported by Formula Grant from the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Floods: Insurance

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether his talks on flood insurance have included any discussions on insurance provision for small businesses.

Richard Benyon: We want to see affordable flood insurance continue to be widely available. We remain committed to ongoing discussions with the Association of British Insurers and others about what replaces the Statement of Principles agreement once it ends next year. A range of options are on the table. We are working with stakeholders and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to better understand what the impact on small businesses would be.
	While these discussions with the industry and others are ongoing we trust that insurers will continue to honour the Statement of Principles agreement in this final year and act in good faith towards all their customers, including small businesses.
	Action taken by communities, Government and businesses to reduce flood risk will continue to be the best way of keeping insurance terms affordable in the future. The Government is spending significant sums on flood and coastal erosion risk management, with increasing levels of external investment as a result of partnership funding. On 30 November, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury announced an additional £120 million would be available over the next two years for spending on flood defences.

Food: Labelling

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect on sales of labelling of British food.

David Heath: DEFRA does not monitor the changes in the profitability of different food products. However research has shown that some consumers are willing to pay a premium for food of known origin.
	In late 2011 the British food industry developed a set of principles for labelling the origin of food and when to use the term ‘British’. This shows the industry is concerned about the overuse use of terms such as British.

Balearic Islands

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the number of (a) annual UK citizen visitors to, (b) permanent expatriate UK citizens in and (c) other UK homeowners in the Balearic Islands in the latest year for which figures are available.

David Lidington: The information is as follows:
	(a) In 2011 there were an estimated 3.5 million visitors from the UK to the Balearics. 2012 figures to July show an increase of 3.5% on last year. We cannot confirm that these were all UK citizens/passport holders.
	(b) Spanish National Institute of Statistics figures show that 24,000 British nationals were formally registered with their local town halls in the Balearics in 2011, the latest year for which figures are available.
	(c) The UK Government does not have figures on the number of UK homeowners on the Balearics, however we estimate that only half of all British residents register with their town hall, suggesting closer to 50,000 UK residents in total.

Falkland Islands

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to support cruise ship companies who visit the Falkland Islands and are considering withdrawing the islands from their itineraries following actions taken by the Government of Argentina.

Hugo Swire: The Government is aware that elements in Argentina are pressuring some cruise ship companies to drop the Falklands from future itineraries and have made threats to their operations in Argentina if they do not do so. It would be disappointing if the industry bowed to such blackmail, which is designed to damage the economy and livelihoods of the Falkland Islands' people. The Falkland Islanders are a small community, but they have welcomed visitors for many years, especially from cruise ships, and provided an excellent tourist experience. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have had discussions with a number of senior executives in the industry, and we are hopeful that the Falklands will continue to welcome the cruise ships.
	The Government condemns unequivocally any efforts to intimidate companies from pursuing their lawful business. We have summoned the Argentine ambassador, so she is in no doubt about our strength of feeling on this matter. We have raised the issue at the International Maritime Organisation, highlighting the health and safety implications of such actions. And we are in discussions with international partners who share our concerns about these illegitimate efforts to interfere with shipping.

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many admissions to hospital with an alcohol-related diagnosis via accident and emergency departments there were in (a) Suffolk, (b) Cambridgeshire and (c) Norfolk broken down by trust area in each of the last three years.

Anna Soubry: The following table contains the sum of the estimated alcohol attributable fractions for admissions via accident and emergency departments in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk primary care trust (PCT) of main provider for the years 2009-10 to 2011-12.
	It should be noted that these figures are not a count of people and do not represent an actual number of admissions that were attributable to alcohol at the time of admission.
	
		
			 A sum of the alcohol attributable fractions (1)  for admissions to hospital via an accident and emergency department (2)  in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk PCT of main provider (3)  for the years 2009-10 to 2011-12 (4) 
			  5PP 5PQ 5PT 
			 PCT of  m ain  p rovider Cambridgeshire Norfolk Suffolk 
			 2009-10 6,338 5,979 4,598 
			 2010-11 6,955 6,424 5,211 
			 2011-12 7,019 7,427 5,345 
			 Activity in English National Health Service Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector. (1) Alcohol-related admissions The number of alcohol-related admissions is based on the “methodology developed by the North West Public Health Observatory (NWPHO), which uses 48 indicators for alcohol-related illnesses, determining the proportion of a wide range of diseases and injuries that can be partly attributed to alcohol as well as those that are, by definition, wholly attributable to alcohol. Further information on these proportions can be found at: www.nwph.net/nwpho/publications/AlcoholAttributableFractions.pdf 
		
	
	
		
			 The application of the NWPHO methodology has recently been updated and is now available directly from HES. As such, information about episodes estimated to be alcohol related may be slightly different from previously published data. Alcohol attributable fractions are not applicable to children under 16. Therefore figures for this age group relate only to wholly-attributable admissions, where the attributable fraction is one. (2) Admission Method This field contains a code which identifies how the patient was admitted to hospital. 21 = Emergency: via Accident and Emergency (A and E) services, including the casualty department of the provider 28 = Emergency: other means, including patients who arrive via the A and E department of another healthcare provider (3) PCT of main provider This indicates the PCT area within which the organisation providing treatment was located. (4) Assessing growth through time (Inpatients) HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre

Antibiotics

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the online prescription of antibiotics.

Norman Lamb: In the United Kingdom, the vast majority of antibiotics are classified as prescription only medicines and should only be supplied for individual patients following an assessment by a qualified professional. The assessment can be face-face or virtual but must comply with the standards set by the regulators.
	Under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, prescription only antibiotics may normally only be supplied against a prescription written by an independent or supplementary prescriber, at registered pharmacy premises by or under the supervision of a pharmacist or at a dispensing doctor practice.
	The prescribing and supply of antibiotics and the professionals involved are regulated by the Care Quality Commission and the relevant professional regulatory body, e.g. the General Medical Council, the Nursing and Midwifery Council or the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Care Homes: Fees and Charges

Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the average fee paid per week by each local social services department to private care homes for clients in (a) nursing and (b) residential care was in 2011, by local authority; and what the average costs were for self-funders;
	(2)  how many care homes there are within each local authority area; and how many of those care homes have fees which fall within the local authority fee cap.

Norman Lamb: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care collects data from councils with adult social services responsibilities (CASSRs) on their unit costs for residential and nursing care for older people, adults aged 18-64 with learning disabilities, adults aged 18-64 with mental illness and adults aged 18-64 with physical disabilities. Provisional data for 2011-12, provided by the Information Centre, has been placed in the Library. Information on the costs of care to self funders is not collected centrally.
	The Care Quality Commission (CQC), as regulator of adult social care services, can provide data on numbers of care and nursing homes in England. Information oh numbers of care and nursing homes in all English CASSR areas, as at 29 November 2012, has been placed in the Library.
	Neither CQC nor the Information Centre collects information on which care homes local councils contract with or the level of the fees councils agree with individual homes.

Care Homes: Fees and Charges

Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the proposals of the final report of the Commission on Funding Care and Support, published in July 2011, what the proportion of assets depleted under a (a) £35,000, (b) £50,000 and (c) £75,000 will be cap on care costs with an extended upper capital limit of £100,000 and £10,000 living costs; and how the proportion of assets depleted will vary depending on level of income.

Norman Lamb: The “Caring for our future: progress report on funding reform” set out the amount of assets that people would deplete under different levels of the cap, including £25,000, £50,000 and £75,000, with the upper capital limit set at £100,000 and general living costs set at £10,000.
	Information on how assets would deplete for different levels of income is not available.

Circumcision

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will estimate the cost to the NHS of dealing with problems arising from circumcisions performed at home in each of the last three years;
	(2)  what steps he plans to take to encourage the performance of safe circumcisions.

Anna Soubry: No information is held centrally on the cost to the national health service of dealing with problems arising from circumcisions performed at home in each of the last three years.
	The Department is clear that circumcision should ordinarily only be carried out for medical reasons. Where this, is the case, circumcision is undertaken by qualified medical clinicians to ensure minimal risk to patients.
	In England, the national health service does not fund ritual circumcision. In some cases, where there have been instances of harm to children following non-therapeutic circumcision, local primary care trusts have decided to commission non-therapeutic circumcision services to ensure they comply with their duty to protect the health of their populations.
	The Department agrees with General Medical Council, British Medical Association, and the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons that the welfare of infants who are circumcised must be paramount, whatever the reason for undertaking the procedure. Any medical procedure must be undertaken in hygienic conditions, with appropriate pain relief and aftercare.

Pain

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria are being used by commissioners to assess the suitability of potential providers of pain management services under Any Qualified Provider, in relation to the needs of patients with chronic pain.

Anna Soubry: Under Any Qualified Provider, the commissioner is responsible for setting the local specification for the service. The criteria used to assess the suitability of potential providers for any service can vary between commissioners according to local quality requirements. East Riding of Yorkshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Hull Teaching PCT are currently the only two PCTs implementing Community Chronic Pain Management services. Both PCTs have chosen to use the same service specification for this service, a copy of which can be accessed via the NHS Supply2Health website at:
	www.supply2health.nhs.uk/CPI/Lists/AQPOffers/DispForm.aspx?ID=7

Pain

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he has made on developing a quality standard on the management of pain.

Norman Lamb: We have asked the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to develop a Quality Standard on pain management for young people and adults as part of a library of approximately 180 NHS Quality Standards. NICE has not yet published a timescale for the development of this Quality Standard.
	The NHS Commissioning Board, who will be responsible for the strategic direction of NHS Quality Standards from April 2013, have begun discussions with NICE to determine the most appropriate sequencing for NHS Quality Standards to assist the board in improving patient outcomes across the five domains of the NHS Outcomes Framework.

Self-mutilation

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the number of children and young people of each (a) gender and (b) age in England who committed acts of self-harm in the last 12 month period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: Hospital Episode Statistics supplied by the Health and Social Care Information Centre record admissions to hospital for self harm. The figures are therefore not fully representative of the number of children and young people who have committed acts of self-harm in England, as this information is not collected.
	Information on the number of finished admission episodes and accident and emergency (A&E) attendances in 2011-12 for children and young people where the cause is self-harm is in the following tables:
	
		
			 Number of finished admission episodes and A&E attendances for self-harm by gender and age in 2011-12 (A&E Data for 2011-12 is provisional) 
			 Finished  a dmission  e pisodes 
			  Gender 
			 Age Female Male Not known 
			 0 7 11 — 
			 1 8 14 — 
			 2 10 15 — 
			 3 8 8 — 
			 4 4 4 — 
			 5 2 5 — 
			 6 5 4 — 
			 7 5 6 — 
			 8 4 5 — 
			 9 8 16 — 
			 10 13 13 — 
			 11 33 35 — 
			 12 258 51 — 
			 13 928 135 — 
			 14 2,115 245 — 
			 15 2,804 500 — 
			 16 2,228 563 — 
			 17 2,429 744 — 
			 18 2,142 936 1 
		
	
	
		
			 A&E  a ttendances 
			  Gender 
			 Age Female Male Not known 
			 0 33 34 1 
			 1 94 126 — 
			 2 96 118 — 
			 3 63 85 — 
			 4 37 53 — 
			 5 41 36 — 
			 6 22 40 — 
			 7 16 30 — 
			 8 21 29 — 
			 9 30 40 — 
			 10 24 42 — 
			 11 57 87 — 
			 12 208 131 — 
			 13 618 204 — 
			 14 1,487 379 1 
			 15 2,001 652 — 
			 16 2,066 925 — 
			 17 2,504 1,289 — 
			 18 2,753 1,659 1 
			 Note: Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector. 
		
	
	The Health and Social Care Information Centre advises that it is possible for the same person to be admitted to hospital on more than one occasion and/or have multiple attendances at A&E. So these figures do not represent the number of patients. It is also possible that the same person may be counted in both tables.
	It also advises that this data is provisional and may be incomplete or contain errors for which no adjustments have yet been made. There may also be errors due to coding inconsistencies that have not yet been investigated and corrected.

Asylum

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have participated in the detained fast track process in each year since its inception, by country of origin.

Mark Harper: The number of asylum seekers, excluding dependants, that have been accepted onto the fast track process by country of nationality are published in a number of Home Office statistical bulletins.
	I will place a collated copy of all published tables from 2001 to 2011 in the Library of the House.
	The Home Office publishes annual statistics on the number of asylum seekers that have been accepted onto the fast track process. Data for 2010 onwards are available in Table as.11, in asylum excel tables volume 4 of the quarterly Immigration Statistics.
	The latest release Immigration Statistics April-June 2012 is available in the Library of the House and from the Home Office Science website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/research-statistics/migration/migration-statistics1/
	Information for 2008 and 2009 is available from the Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 2009 and 2008 Supplementary Tables (Tables 2s and 2u in 2009, Tables 2r and 2t in 2008). Information prior to 2008 is available from the Asylum Statistics, United Kingdom, 2001 to 2007 Bulletins. These are also available from the Library of the House or:
	http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110218135832/http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/asylum.html

Asylum

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what safeguards she has put in place to prevent victims of torture and other vulnerable applicants from being assigned to the detained fast track process.

Mark Harper: Published policy has specific “suitability exclusion criteria” to prevent entry into the detained fast track process of those accepted as being particularly vulnerable, including victims of torture. Suitability for the process is reviewed throughout an individual's detention, not just at the point of prospective entry. If at any stage it is clear that the suitability exclusion criteria are engaged, the detainee would be released from the detained fast track process. Criteria includes:
	Women who are 24 or more weeks pregnant;
	Family cases;
	Children (whether applicants or dependants), whose claimed date of birth is accepted by the UK Border Agency;
	Those with a disability which cannot be adequately managed within a detained environment;
	Those with a physical or mental medical condition which cannot be adequately treated within a detained environment, or which for practical reasons, including infectiousness or contagiousness, cannot be properly managed within a detained environment;
	Those who clearly lack the mental capacity or coherence to sufficiently understand the asylum process and/or cogently present their claim. This consideration will usually be based on medical information, but where medical information is unavailable, officers must apply their judgement as to an individual's apparent capacity;
	Those for whom there has been a reasonable grounds decision taken (and maintained) by a competent authority stating that the applicant is a potential victim of trafficking or where there has been a conclusive decision taken by a competent authority stating that the applicant is a victim of trafficking;
	Those in respect of whom there is independent evidence of torture.

Firearms: Licensing

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many (a) firearms and (b) shotgun certificates were issued in (i) Avon and Somerset Constabulary area and (ii) England in each year from 2001 to 2012;
	(2)  how many (a) firearms and (b) shotgun certificates were revoked in each year from 2001 to 2012;
	(3)  how many revocations of certificates for firearms or shotguns there were in each year from 2001 to 2012 to date;
	(4)  how many firearm or shotgun certificates were issued in (a) Avon and Somerset Constabulary area and (b) England in each year from 2001 to 2012 to date.

Damian Green: The following tables provide numbers of (a) firearms and (b) shotgun certificates issued and revoked in (i) Avon and Somerset Constabulary area and (ii) total for England for each of the years 2001 to 2011-12.
	Figures for 2012-13 will be published in 2013 (date to be confirmed).
	
		
			 Firearm certificates: grants of applications and revocations, 2001 to 2011 - 12 —England and Wales 
			 Number 
			   Applications  granted  
			  Police force area New applications Renewal applications Variation of certificate Revocations 
			 2011-12 Avon and Somerset 421 1,439 362 44 
			  England 10,646 33,341 8,398 317 
			  England and Wales 11,502 35,723 8,951 349 
			       
			 2010-11 Avon and Somerset 449 1,448 358 41 
			  England 10,545 31,969 8,478 368 
			  England and Wales 11,286 34,132 9,054 404 
			       
			 2009-10 Avon and Somerset 343 570 313 18 
			  England 8,909 12,713 7,513 274 
			  England and Wales 9,462 13,500 7,975 302 
			       
			 2008-09 Avon and Somerset 366 284 327 10 
			  England 9,415 9,109 7,709 245 
			  England and Wales 10,046 9,668 8,201 260 
			       
			 2007-8 Avon and Somerset 431 1,268 292 14 
			  England 10,796 27,700 7,503 231 
		
	
	
		
			  England and Wales 11,601 30,158 8,021 248 
			       
			 2006-07 (1)— n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			       
			 2005-06 Avon and Somerset 305 1,107 261 8 
			  England 8,012 27,244 4,973 186 
			  England and Wales 8,615 29,135 5,183 196 
			       
			 2004-05 Avon and Somerset 359 318 304 9 
			  England 8,489 7,611 5,437 240 
			  England and Wales 9,055 8,311 5,646 258 
			       
			 2003-04 Avon and Somerset 261 141 225 8 
			  England 7,178 3,886 4,914 181 
			  England and Wales 7,673 4,116 5,161 195 
			       
			 2002-03 Avon and Somerset 300 975 150 10 
			  England 7,947 23,315 4,572 175 
			  England and Wales 8,562 25,136 4,885 188 
			       
			 2001 Avon and Somerset 266 1,295 n/a 11 
			  England 6,734 29,172 n/a 298 
			  England and Wales 7,120 31,257 n/a 309 
			 n/a = figures not available (1 )Figures are not available due to the transition from in-force data collection systems to the NFLMS in 2006. Note: Figures for calendar years are as at 31 December, financial years as at 31 March. Source: Home Office 
		
	
	
		
			 Shotgun certificates: grants of applications and revocations, 2001 to 2011-12—England and Wales 
			 Number 
			   Applications granted  
			  Police force area New applications Renewal applications Revocations 
			 2011-12 Avon and Somerset 899 5,039 123 
			  England 29,173 126,735 1,221 
			  England and Wales 31,254 137,278 1,301 
			      
			 2010-11 Avon and Somerset 911 5,044 104 
			  England 27,371 119,791 1,293 
			  England and Wales 29,068 130,737 1,379 
			      
			 2009-10 Avon and Somerset 816 1,666 40 
			  England 22,752 44,179 977 
			  England and Wales 23,950 47,137 1,076 
			      
			 2008-09 Avon and Somerset 854 743 54 
			  England 24,024 23,969 941 
			  England and Wales 25,411 25,408 1,009 
			      
			 2007-8 Avon and Somerset 1,146 4,360 47 
			  England 30,297 111,727 868 
			  England and Wales 32,358 123,766 903 
			      
			 2006-07 Not available (see table note 2) n/a n/a n/a 
		
	
	
		
			      
			 2005-6 Avon and Somerset 829 5,173 36 
			  England 23,520 128,701 659 
			  England and Wales 25,220 141,084 699 
			      
			 2004-05 Avon and Somerset 714 1,751 37 
			  England 22,130 42,580 684 
			  England and Wales 23,426 46,577 745 
			      
			 2003-04 Avon and Somerset 760 513 31 
			  England 21,240 12,645 604 
			  England and Wales 22,476 13,470 684 
			      
			 2002-03 Avon and Somerset 656 4,330 26 
			  England 24,339 113,521 559 
			  England and Wales 26,144 125,158 623 
			      
			 2001 Avon and Somerset 586 5,879 35 
			  England 21,389 149,307 751 
			  England and Wales 22,710 162,368 810 
			 n/a = figures not available (1 )Figures are not available due to the transition from in-force data collection systems to the NFLMS in 2006. Note: Figures for calendar years are as at 31 December, financial years as at 31 March. Source: Home Office

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to answer the letter sent to her by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on 23 October 2012, with regard to Ms S Small.

Mark Harper: I wrote to the right hon. Gentleman on 4 December 2012.

Offences Against Children

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what steps she has taken to establish mechanisms for monitoring the extent of (a) violence, (b) sexual abuse, (c) neglect, (d) maltreatment and (e) exploitation of children in (i) the family setting, (ii) schools and (iii) institutional and other care settings;
	(2)  what estimate she has made of the proportion of children who experience (a) violence, (b) sexual abuse, (c) neglect, (d) maltreatment and (e) exploitation in (i) the family setting, (ii) schools and (iii) institutional and other care settings.

Edward Timpson: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Education.
	The Local Safeguarding Children Board is the key statutory mechanism for agreeing how the relevant organisations in each local area will co-operate to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in that locality, and for ensuring the effectiveness of what they do. This includes monitoring the effectiveness of arrangements made by the local authority, schools, police and others locally to safeguard children.
	The available information on children who experience abuse or neglect is in the following table. The Department does not hold information on the proportion of children who experience violence, sexual abuse, neglect, maltreatment or exploitation.
	
		
			 Children in Need in England at 31 March 2012 with a primary need of abuse or neglect 
			  Number Rate per 10,000 children 
			 Children in Need 369,41.0 325.7 
			 Of which:   
			 Had a primary need of abuse or neglect 168,270 148.4 
			 Source: Children in Need census

Developing Countries: Sanitation

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to mark WaterAid's World Toilet Day campaign.

Lynne Featherstone: DFID marked World Toilet Day in several ways:
	By contributing a blog piece entitled ‘Girls, Women and Sanitation—Dignity matters’, as part of WaterAid's “Thunderclap” World Toilet day blog event;
	By holding a seminar in DFID's Palace street headquarters, featuring both internal and external speakers, on “the role of sanitation and hygiene in improving child survival and development”;
	An all-day exhibition in DFID Palace street atrium which included a display stand with various posters on sanitation and hygiene.

Haiti

Paul Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which projects in Haiti have been supported by the Government since the earthquake in January 2010; what the cost was of those projects; and how many people in Haiti have been assisted.

Lynne Featherstone: The UK Government has provided a total of £30 million of humanitarian assistance in Haiti since January 2010; £18.5 million in response to the 2010 earthquake, £4.5 million in response to the Cholera outbreak (2010) and more recently £7 million to meet vital humanitarian needs following the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy.
	A detailed list of projects funded and people assisted as part of the Haiti earthquake and Cholera response is available on DFID's website.
	Details on projects funded in response to Hurricane Sandy will be available on the DFID website soon.

Horn of Africa

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress her Department has made on implementing the recommendation of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact report on her Department's Humanitarian Emergency Response in the Horn of Africa that her Department should work towards a cohesive early warning system, with triggers for action pre-agreed with other key organisations and governments.

Justine Greening: In September 2012, the Department for International Development (DFID) accepted the recommendations of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact report on the Humanitarian Emergency Response in the Horn of Africa. In March 2013, DFID will report on progress in implementing these recommendations, including on agreeing triggers for early action with selected partners. This report will be available publically on DFID's website.

Overseas Aid

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress the Government has made in implementing its pledge to double the provision of water, hygiene and sanitation by 2015 to 60 million.

Lynne Featherstone: Our current or planned programmes include:
	1. Programmes managed by our offices in countries in Africa and Asia. We currently have water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programmes in 15 countries and these are the principal routes through which we will deliver our results;
	2, Existing partnerships with a range of organisations such as the Water and Sanitation Program, Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor and WaterAid.
	In addition, the Department is exploring further options including new partnerships with the UN, civil society and the private sector. Once specific programmes are approved, they will be made publically available via the DFID website, alongside annual reviews of progress.

Debt Collection

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the recent focus report by the Local Government Ombudsman entitled Taking possession: Councils' use of bailiffs for local debt collection; and if he will consider incorporating the recommendations made in the report into the Government's review of bailiff reforms.

Helen Grant: The Local Government Ombudsman's recent focus report, ‘Taking Possession: Councils' use of bailiffs for local debt collection’, is a very helpful report which highlights the need for reform to bailiff law.
	Its recommendations will be taken into consideration during the finalisation of the Government response.

Immigration: Children

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the potential effect of planned changes to legal aid from April 2013 on local authorities' ability to meet their statutory obligations to look after children and care leavers with immigration claims.

Jeremy Wright: We do not anticipate that the changes to legal aid from 2013 will impact significantly on local authorities' ability to look after children and care leavers with immigration claims. Unaccompanied migrant children become part of the care system and as such are entitled to the full range of support and services as all looked after children. Post age 18, subject to their immigration status, many will be treated as care leavers and will continue to be entitled to a range of support from local authorities.
	Legal aid will remain available for asylum cases, which will account for the vast majority of cases brought by unaccompanied children. Victims of trafficking, including children, will also be able to get funding for legal advice in relation to immigration or damages claims.

Young Offender Institutions

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what the capacity was of (a) secure children's homes, (b) secure training centres and (c) young offender institutions in England and Wales in (i) 2011 and (ii) 2012 to date;
	(2)  how many people under the age of 18 were held in custody in (a) secure children's homes, (b) secure training centres and (c) young offender institutions in England and Wales in (i) 2011 and (ii) 2012 to date.

Jeremy Wright: Table 1 shows the average capacity in England and Wales for (a) secure children's homes (SCHs) (b) secure training centres (STCs) and (c) predominant function young offender institutions (YOIs) in (i) 2011 and (ii) 2012 to date. There are two types of YOIs (under-18 YOIs and young adult YOIs which accommodate 18 to 21-year-olds). A combined figure for all YOIs as well as a separate figure for under-18 YOIs is included in Table 1 for comparison purposes.
	
		
			 Table 1: Average capacity in SCHs, STCs and YOIs 
			  SCH STC Under 18s YOI All YOIs 
			 2011 185 301 2,151 8,242 
			 2012 (to date) 172 301 2,024 8,092 
			 Notes: 1. The average capacity for 2012 has been calculated using the most recent data available. For SCHs, STCs and Under 18 YOIs this is from January until September, for all YOIs this is from January to October. 2. The figures are not comparable across the years as full data for 2012 are not yet available. 3. Only those establishments with a predominant function of young offender institution are shown in the above table (All YOIs). Dual-use establishments with other predominant functions are not included. 4. The operational capacity of a secure establishment is the total number of offenders that an establishment can hold taking into account control, security and the proper operation of the planned regime. It is determined by Directors of Offender Management on the basis of operational judgement and experience. 
		
	
	Table 2 shows the average number of young people under the age of 18 held in custody at any one time in England and Wales in (a) secure children's homes (SCHs) (b) secure training centres (STCs) and (c) under 18-year-old young offender institutions (YOIs) in (i) 2011 and (ii) 2012 to date.
	
		
			 Table 2: Average population in the under 18 secure estate by sector 
			  SCH STC Under 18s YO I 
			 2011 162 274 1,565 
			 2012 (to date) 155 274 1,335 
			 Notes: 1. The average population for 2012 has been calculated using the most recent data available (from January to September). 2. The figures are not comparable across the years as full data for 2012 are not yet available. 3. The figures from April 2011 onwards are provisional. The figures for 2011 will be finalised in the 2011-12 Youth Justice Statistics publication on 31 January 2013. Provisional data for subsequent months are published on a monthly basis: http://www.justice.gov.uk/statistics/youth-justice/custody-data 4. These figures have been drawn from operational sources and IT systems, which are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing and can be subject to change over time. Sources: 1. The data for SCHs, STCs and under 18 YOIs have been provided from the Youth Justice Board (YJB) 2. Data on All YOIs have been provided by the National Offender Management Service (NOMS)

Young Offenders: Literacy

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many children in (a) secure children's homes, (b) secure training centres and (c) youth offending institutions were unable to read and write at the appropriate level for their age at 1 November (i) 2008, (ii) 2009, (iii) 2010, (iv) 2011 and (v) 2012.

Jeremy Wright: Every young person's literacy level is assessed as they enter a secure children's home (SCH), secure training centre (STC) or under-18 youth offending institution (YOI), but the data are not collected centrally for the entire youth secure estate. For under-18 public YOIs, the Education Funding Agency collects information on the literacy levels of young people entering the establishments; however these levels cannot be directly compared to a specific age equivalent.

Security Situation

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment she has made of the security situation in Northern Ireland.

Bob Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment she has made of the security situation in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement.

Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment she has made of the security situation in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement.

Theresa Villiers: I refer the hon. Gentlemen to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friends the Members for Dartford (Gareth Johnson), Macclesfield (David Rutley) and Central Devon (Mel Stride).

Crossrail Line

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether support for UK jobs will be a factor in the assessment of bids for the Crossrail rolling stock contract.

Stephen Hammond: The Instructions for Tenderers that was issued as part of the Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) on 28 February 2012, requires bidders to set out how they will engage with the wider supply chain and provide opportunities for training, apprenticeships, and small and medium size businesses within their procurement strategy. Bidders are also required to establish an appropriate local presence to manage the delivery of the contract.
	Bidders are also being asked, in the Invitation to Negotiate, to specify from where each element of the contract will be sourced. This is not an assessment criterion in the decision process however the successful bidder will be required to report against their proposed estimates.

Crossrail Line

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who will be responsible for deciding the successful bidder for the Crossrail rolling stock contracts.

Stephen Hammond: Crossrail Limited which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Transport for London and is responsible for the procurement process and deciding the successful bidder for the Crossrail Rolling Stock and Depot contract.
	The sponsors of the project (Transport for London and Department for Transport) will only be asked to approve the final decision.

Go North East

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many route change submissions Go North East has made to the Traffic Commissioner since 1 January 2012.

Stephen Hammond: There are two operator licences held by entities trading as Go North East.
	Go North East Ltd hold licence number PB0003954. Since 1 January 2012 they have submitted 29 registrations for new local bus services, 138 applications to vary an existing local bus service registration and 29 applications to cancel a local bus service registration.
	Go Northern Ltd t/a Go North East hold licence number PB0002400. Since 1 January 2012 they have submitted 13 registrations for new local bus services, 84 applications to vary an existing local bus service registration and 22 applications to cancel a local bus service registration.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the processes being followed on High Speed Rail 2 comply with the EU Water Framework Directive and the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: My Department has carefully considered the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive and the Water Environment Regulations 2003 in connection with HS2.
	My Officials have regular discussions with colleagues from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Environment Agency on these matters and we will take all necessary steps to ensure compliance with these requirements.

Tolls

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has plans to introduce tolling on enhanced roads; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Hammond: The Government has made a clear commitment not to introduce new tolls on existing road capacity and there are no plans to change this position.
	As we have previously stated, we will examine the case for tolling new routes or substantially enhanced routes where increased capacity will lead to a transformation in their performance.

Travel: Young People

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to respond to the recommendations of the British Youth Council Transport Select Committee report entitled Transport and young people published in September 2012.

Norman Baker: The Youth Select Committee published its report ‘Transport and Young People’ on 5 November 2012. The Government aims to respond to the recommendations in the report within two months of its publication date.

World War II: Anniversaries

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State has had with (a) his ministerial colleagues in the Ministry of Defence and (b) the Mayor of London on the Government's plans to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic in 2013 or 2014.

Stephen Hammond: I refer to my previous answer to the hon. Member on 22 November 2012, Official Report, column 542W, in which I referred to the reply given by the Minister of State for Defence, Personnel, Welfare and Veterans on the Ministry of Defence's discussions to support civil society-led commemorations for the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic. Officials will keep in touch on the progress of those requests.
	I have no immediate plans to talk to the Mayor of London on this subject.

Air Passenger Duty

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 22 November 2012, Official Report, column 556W, on air passenger duty, whether he plans to submit HM Revenue and Custom's research on the effect that differential prices at UK airports could have on the overall demand for aviation and on passengers' choice of airport to the Independent Commission on Aviation chaired by Sir Howard Davies.

Sajid Javid: The HM Revenue and Customs' research is available publicly and the Commission can consider whether it is relevant to their work.

Regional Planning and Development

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any plans to further extend the powers conferred under the City Deal to smaller regional cities; and if he will make a statement.

Greg Clark: holding answer 4 December 2012
	I am responding as the Minister responsible for City Deals.
	The first wave of city deals with the eight core cities were completed on 5 July 2012. Building on their progress, the second wave of city deals with an additional 20 cities was announced on 29 October. The Government is committed to continue to devolve power to cities to foster local economic growth and aims to have completed deals with the next wave by autumn 2013.

Revenue and Customs: Complaints

Alison McGovern: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to improve HM Revenue and Customs systems for handling complaints to prevent unacceptable delays in complaint resolution.

David Gauke: HMRC monitors all aspects of the complaints handling system. They work very closely with the independent adjudicator to reduce any delays and improve the service they provide to customers.

Tax Avoidance

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with which offshore tax havens based in crown dependencies and overseas territories the UK has an information-sharing agreement on owners of offshore trusts and companies; and with which the UK is in the process of negotiating such an agreement.

David Gauke: The UK has tax information exchange agreements with all the Crown Dependencies—Guernsey, the Isle of Man, and Jersey— and the following Overseas Territories: Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Gibraltar, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Comprehensive double taxation agreements are in place with the Falkland Islands and Montserrat and a limited double taxation agreement is in place with the Cayman Islands. All these agreements allow the exchange of information (including information on companies and trusts) to the standard adopted by the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information. The UK keeps all its treaties under review.

Tax Avoidance

Michael Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will take steps to end the practice whereby any British or foreign person can avoid up to 5 per cent stamp duty being imposed on the next purchase by holding their house in an offshore company;
	(2)  if he will take steps to end the practice whereby offshore entities which are controlled and managed outside the UK do not pay any tax on the proceeds of property speculation.

David Gauke: To ensure that those buying expensive residential properties using companies pay their fair share, the Government has introduced a 15% rate of SDLT on residential properties over £2 million purchased by certain non-natural persons. The Government has also consulted on the introduction of an annual charge on residential properties valued over £2 million owned by certain non-natural persons. In addition the Government has consulted on an extension to capital gains tax for non-resident non-natural persons. Both are to be introduced in April 2013.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 20 November 2012, Official Report, columns 455-6W, on universal credit, how employees earning less than the lower earnings limit and outside PAYE will self- report their earnings; whether they will be required to do so weekly if they are paid weekly; and how they will be informed of this requirement.

Mark Hoban: The universal credit design will allow all claimants to provide earnings details, including those outside of the PAYE system. Claimants will be required to report their earnings monthly, initially by telephone and in due course on line.
	Claimants will be informed of this requirement when they make their initial claim, however should they wish to report earnings more frequently than monthly they will be able to do so.

Work Programme

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether any satisfaction data is being collected from Work programme participants.

Mark Hoban: The Department has commissioned an independent evaluation of the Work programme, which includes a national survey of participants to explore their views on the support they have received. Initial findings will be available from summer 2013; a final report will be published in 2014-15.